Support for mine roofs and the like

ABSTRACT

A base has a side which is to face the mine face and another side which is to be remote therefrom. An upwardly inclined shield is connected at one edge region to the other side of the base for pivotal movement about a first axis. A roof member is connected to the opposite edge region of the shield, also pivotable but about a second axis. A fluid-operated cylinder and piston unit is connected articulately at its opposite ends to the base and to the shield, respectively, so that the shield can turn about a third axis. A rigid element is provided which can be selectively connected to the shield and to the base at the third and first axis, respectively, to thereby change the distance between the first and second axes, while maintaining the distance between the second and third axes unchanged.

tates Watent 11 1 Manner Apr. 1, 1975 SUPPORT FOR MINE ROOFS AND THELIKE [75] Inventor:

122 Filed: $6 11.21, 1973 21 Appl.No.:399,504

Heinz'Kunzer, Herne, Germany [30] Foreign Application Priority DataSept. 22, 1972 Germany 2246745 [52] US. Cl. ..61/45D [51] Int. Cl. E21d15/44 [58] Field of Search ..61/45 D,63;291/11,3l,

Germany 61/45 D 3/1970 Germany 61/45 D Primary Examiner-Dennis L. TaylorAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT A base has aside which is to face the mine face and another side which is to beremote therefrom. An upwardly inclined shield is connected at one edgeregion to the other side of the base for pivotal movement about a firstaxis. A roof member is connected to the opposite edge region of theshield, also pivotable but about a second axis. A fluid-operatedcylinder and piston unit is connected articulately at its opposite endsto the base and to the shield, respectively, so that the shield can turnabout a third axis. A rigid element is provided which can be selectivelyconnected to the l l References Cited shield and to the base at thethird and first axis, re-

UNITED STATES PATENTS spectively, to thereby change the distance betweenthe 3.779.023 12/1973 Koppers 61/45 1) fi and Sficond ages, g ltheddistance t t FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS e ween 6 S660 an axesum ange 1,503.990 10/1967 France 61/45 D 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Flgures i i1 t l l l, 1 1 i 1 1 SUPPORT FOR MINE ROOFS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION Supports for mine roofs and the like are already wellknown. Basically, they use a base from which a shield extends upwardly,being articulated to the base and serving to support the overhead roofmaterial of the mine or other excavation, wherein the support is to beused. The problem with the prior-art constructions has been that it isextremely difficult to support roofs of different weights with astandard supporting apparatus. It is, of course, desirable thatapparatus be used which has standardized components, in view ofconsiderations of economy which cannot be disregarded. On the otherhand, the greater the downward pressure of this soil and, consequently,the greater must be the force with which the supporting apparatusresists this downward pressure to prevent collapse of the excavation.This requirement has heretofore been capable of being met only byreplacing at least the fluid-operated cylinder and piston units whichhold the shield upwardly against the roof of the excavation, and alsoreplacing the shield itself, substituting larger dimensioned units andstronger shields, the need for stronger upward force increases. Thismeant, of course, that the components involved could not be produced inlarge series and were, correspondingly, more expensive. In turn, theoverall expense of such a support apparatus was therefore also greaterthan is economically desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, a general object of theinvention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a supportapparatus for mine roofs and the like which is not possessed of thesedisadvantages.

Still more particularly, it is an object of the present invention toprovide such a support apparatus wherein the upwardly directed forcewith which the apparatus is capable of supporting the roof of theexcavation can be varied within wide limits without having for thispurpose to replace either the cylinder and piston units or the shield.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparenthereafter, one feature of the invention resides, briefly stated, in asupport for mine roofs or the like which comprises a base having a firstside adapted to be closer towards and a second side farther from la mineface. An upwardly inclined shield is provided, having one edge regionarticulated to the base at the aforementioned second side for pivotalmovement about a first axis, and a spaced opposite free edge region formovement about a second axis. A fluidoperated cylinder-and-piston unithas one end articulated to the base intermediate the sides thereof, andanother end articulated to the shield intermediate the edge regions ofthe same for pivotal movement about a third axis. Means is provided forvarying the distance between the first and second axes, whilemaintaining unchanged the distance between the second and third axes.

In accordance with the present invention, I utilize as the means forvarying the aforementioned distance a rigid element which can beconnected with the base and the shield for pivotal movement about thefirst and third axes, respectively, thus making it possible for thepoint at which the force of the cylinder and piston unit (or units) actsupon the roof of the excavation via the shield, to be changed and tothereby increase the force acting upon the roof and supporting the same.Thus, variations of this force can be selected by merely selecting arigid element of the desired size, so that the only component which needbe exchanged is the rigid element itself. Moreover, this change can becarried out rapidly, because the rigid elements can be readily exchangedone for another, so that the apparatus can be very quickly adapted tochanging conditions.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a vertical section through anexcavation, showing one embodiment of the apparatus in a side view,located in the excavation;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the apparatus of FIG. 1modified in accordance with another feature of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the apparatus in afurther modified embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the apparatus of FIG. 3in another modified embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing the drawing now indetail, and referring firstly to FIG. 1, it will be seen that thesupport apparatus illustrated herein is designated in toto withreference numeral 1. Basically it is composed of a base 2, a shield 3, aroof member 4, and one or more cylinder and piston units 5. The cylinderand piston unit may, but need not be, a hydraulically operated unit. Itcan also be a mechanical unit. The excavation is shown as a minegallery, but of course could be any other type of excavation. The partwhich is the mine face or the equivalent thereof, is designated withreference numeral 6, the floor with reference numeral 7, and theoverhanging roof which is to be supported is designated with referencenumeral 8.

ln dependence upon the length of the face 6, that is the dimension indirection normal to the plane of the drawing in FIG. .1, as many of theapparatuses l as necessary are employed and are arranged along this face6. Of course, only one is shown and the invention can be fully describedwith respect to only a single one. Each of the apparatuses 1 has amoving unit 9 which may utilize a hydraulically operated cylinder andpiston unit, by means of which the apparatus 1 is connected to aconveyor or the like, which is designated with reference numeral 10 andwhich extends along the face 6. The conveyor serves to carry awaymaterial which has been removed from the mine face 6. Of course,appropriate tools will be utilized for such removal but have not beenillustrated because they are not necessary for an understanding of theinvention. In any case, the unit 9 can be used to shift the apparatusesl 6, if and when necessary.

Base 2 is provided at a side thereof which is remote from the face 6with upwardly extending portion 1 I, to which shield 3 is articulated at12 for movement about a horizontal pivot axis. The free end 13 of theshield 3 has the roof member 4 articulated to it, again for movementabout a horizontal pivot axis 14. The cylinder and piston unit 5 whichadvantageously is hydraulically operated, has an upper portion whichengages the shield 3 approximately midwayd intermediate the forward andrearward edges thereof. Its lower portion is connected to the base 2 at17 and its upper portion 15 is pivoted to the shield 3, but forwardly of(to the left of in FIG. 1) the location 17. Thus, the unit 5 is slightlyforwardly inclined towards the face 6 and this inclination assures thatsufficient space is available for move ment of tools and the like, andthat an adequate flow of air can be maintained along the mine face evenif the distance between the roof 8 and the floor 7 is relatively small.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the arrangement of the apparatus is suchthat a sufficient supporting force for the roof 8 is transmitted to thesame, via the roof member 4 and via the articulation 14, by the unit orunits 5. This apparatus is capable of being accommodated within acertain range to different roof heights, that is to different heights ofthe roof 8 which must be supported. If the height of the roof is beyondthe upper limit of this range, however, the forward edge 19 of the roofmember 4 would move too far away from the face 6, due to the arcuatemovement of the articulation 14 about the articulation l2, and would notlonger provide for sufficient support for the roof.

This is, however, reliably avoided in accordance with the presentinvention by providing a rigid element which is shown in FIG. 2, andwhich is connected rigidly but releasably with the shield 3. The lengthof the element 20, that is its dimension between the left and right-handside of FIG. 1, is selected in dependence upon the height and weight ofthe roof 8 which must be supported. The utilization of the element 20,and its articulation at 12 to the base, assures that the roof member 4will move vertically within a certain range without being capable ofreceding from the face 6 too far. The essential point is that thedistance between the point 21 where the portion 15 of the unit 5 engagesthe shield 3, and the articulation 12 is increased with respect to thesame distance in FIG. 1, when the element 20 is utilized. On the otherhand, the distance between the point 21 and the articulation 14 remainsunchanged. This results in a change of the lever arm relationships whichassures that the supporting force acting upon the roof 8 will beincreased, depending upon the length of the element 20. Thus, the sameunits 5 which have previously been used to support the lower weight inFIG. 1, can now support a greater weight in FIG. 2. Moreover, none ofthe other components of the apparatus need be replaced in order tosupport this greater weight in FIG. 2.

The element 20 may be of one piece or it may be so constructed that itslength can be varied. It could, for instance, be of telescopablecomponents which can be telescoped together or pulled apart and arrestedin respective positions, when it is desired to change its length. Inthat case, one element20 could be utilized for many differentapplications. The element 20 may be along the face provided on at leasta substantial part of its length with deflectors 22 which preventmaterial of the soil in the region 16 from falling down between the baseand the shield and onto the conveyor or even the path I8. Thus, theelement 20 itself can be of shield-like nature or the components 22 canbe of such nature, acting as shields or baffles.

It is also possible to provide the element 20 in its region facing theface 6 with a nose-like extension, having one or more bearing supportsfor the unit or units 5. Such bearing supports would then be locatedbelow the shield 3, and extend coaxially to the longitudinal axis of therespective unit 5. This ensures that a vertical displacement of theupper portion of the unit 5 makes it possible to use the same unit whichis capable of supporting lower roof weights also for supporting greaterroof weights, without having to change the lever arm relationshipsinvolved between the shield 3 and the element 20.

Coming now to the embodiment of FIG. 3 it will be seen that here arockable element 23 is provided which is pivotably mounted on theportion 11 of the base 2. The element 23 has an articulate connection 24on its side facing towards the soil 16, where the element 20 may beconnected with it. It is further provided with a plurality of openings26, located on an arcuate line surrounding the axis 25. These cooperatewith similar openings 27 in the part 11 of the base 2, with respectiveones of which they can be made to register. Bolts or similar elements(not illustrated) can be extended through the respective registeringapertures 26, 27 to arrest the element 23 in a selected position.

By appropriate pivoting of the element 23 the articulate connection 24will move in a curved path in which it can move closer to and fartheraway from the face 6. This assures that independently of the distancebetween the roof 8 and the floor 7, the front edge of the roof member 4will always be located closely adjacent to the face 6 and the roof isproperly supported.

It will be appreciated that a single or more than one of the bolts orsimilar elements can be utilized.

FIG. 3, as well as FIG. 4, also show that when the element 23 isppivoted in the manner outlined earlier, the articulate connection 24will perform a movement in the aforementioned curved path in directionboth towards the face 6 and the roof 8. This assures the constant closeproximity of the leading edge 19 of the roof member 4 to the face 6. Inthis manner it is possible to properly support the roof 8 at all times,even when it has just been freshly undercut by removal of material fromthe face 6.

It is also possible to provide the portion 11 of the base 2 with severalvertically spaced pivots 25 so that a furtheradjustment is provided,making it possible to connect the element 23 with the portion 11 atdifferent vertical levels and to compensate for variations in thedistance between the floor 7 and the roof 8.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions, differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in asupport for mine roofs and the like, it is not intended to be limited tothe details shown, since various modifications and structural changesmay be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by letters patent isset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A support for mine roofs and the like, comprising a base having afirst side adapted to be closer toward and a second side farther from amine face; an upwardly inclined shield having an edge region articulatedto said base at said second side for pivotal movement about a firstaxis, and a spaced opposite free edge region; a roof member connected tosaid free edge region for movement about a second axis; acylinder-andpiston unit having one end articulated to said baseintermediate said sides, and an other end articulated to said shieldintermediate said edge regions for pivotal movement about a third axis;means comprising a rigid element for varying the distance between saidfirst and third axes, while maintaining unchanged the distance betweensaid second and third axes; and means releasably connecting said elementwith said edge region of said shield so that said varying means may beused whenever required but can be removed when not needed.

2. A support as defined in claim 1; further comprising a rockableconnecting element adjustably and pivotably mounted on said base formovement about said first axis, said connecting element havingconnecting portions which are releasably engageable with said shield andsaid rigid element, respectively.

3. A support as defined in claim 2, said connecting portions beinglocated at a side of said first axis which is remote from said thirdaxis.

4. A support as defined in claim 2, said base and said connectingelement having respective openings, different ones of which can bebrought into registry in dependence upon the position of said rockingelement; and further comprising bolt means insertable through therespectively registering openings for arresting said connecting element.

5. A support as defined in claim 2; further comprising mounting meansmounting said connecting element on said base in such a manner that saidconnecting element can be raised and lowered.

6. A support as defined in claim 1, said rigid element being elongatedin direction intermediate said first and third axes, and being providedover at least a substantial part of its length with soil and rockdeflecting portions.

7. A support as defined in claim 1, said rigid element being elongatedin direction intermediate said first and third axes; and furthercomprising adjusting means for adjusting said elongation.

8. A support as defined in claim 1, said rigid element having in theregion of said third axis an extension provided with a bearing portionfor said other end of said unit.

9. A support as defined in claim 1, said unit being expansible andretractable; and wherein said unit is inclined towards said mine face:at least when it is re-

1. A support for mine roofs and the like, comprising a base having afirst side adapted to be closer toward and a second side farther from amine face; an upwardly inclined shield having an edge region articulatedto said base at said second side for pivotal movement about a firstaxis, and a spaced opposite free edge region; a roof member connected tosaid free edge regIon for movement about a second axis; acylinder-and-piston unit having one end articulated to said baseintermediate said sides, and an other end articulated to said shieldintermediate said edge regions for pivotal movement about a third axis;means comprising a rigid element for varying the distance between saidfirst and third axes, while maintaining unchanged the distance betweensaid second and third axes; and means releasably connecting said elementwith said edge region of said shield so that said varying means may beused whenever required but can be removed when not needed.
 2. A supportas defined in claim 1; further comprising a rockable connecting elementadjustably and pivotably mounted on said base for movement about saidfirst axis, said connecting element having connecting portions which arereleasably engageable with said shield and said rigid element,respectively.
 3. A support as defined in claim 2, said connectingportions being located at a side of said first axis which is remote fromsaid third axis.
 4. A support as defined in claim 2, said base and saidconnecting element having respective openings, different ones of whichcan be brought into registry in dependence upon the position of saidrocking element; and further comprising bolt means insertable throughthe respectively registering openings for arresting said connectingelement.
 5. A support as defined in claim 2; further comprising mountingmeans mounting said connecting element on said base in such a mannerthat said connecting element can be raised and lowered.
 6. A support asdefined in claim 1, said rigid element being elongated in directionintermediate said first and third axes, and being provided over at leasta substantial part of its length with soil and rock deflecting portions.7. A support as defined in claim 1, said rigid element being elongatedin direction intermediate said first and third axes; and furthercomprising adjusting means for adjusting said elongation.
 8. A supportas defined in claim 1, said rigid element having in the region of saidthird axis an extension provided with a bearing portion for said otherend of said unit.
 9. A support as defined in claim 1, said unit beingexpansible and retractable; and wherein said unit is inclined towardssaid mine face at least when it is retracted.